scholarly journals Use of anti-horseradish peroxidase antibody-gold complex in the ABC technique.

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 863-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Gee ◽  
M J Warhol ◽  
J Roth

We report a modification of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique for the light and electron microscopic detection of antigens in tissue sections. An immunological approach was used instead of the DAB reaction to reveal ABC bound to antigen-antibody complexes. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies against horseradish peroxidase were complexed to particles of colloidal gold and applied for reaction with the horseradish peroxidase molecules of the ABC. For light microscopic immunolabeling, the signal produced by the anti-horseradish peroxidase antibody-gold complex required silver intensification. The ABC immunogold reaction as compared with the standard ABC technique, in particular with silver intensification of the DAB reaction product, provided superior resolution in paraffin sections. Furthermore, section pre-treatment to block endogenous peroxidase activity could be omitted and no potentially hazardous substrate was used. The ABC immunogold reaction was successfully applied for electron microscopic immunolabeling on Lowicryl K4M thin sections. We propose that the ABC immunogold reaction is a useful alternative to the standard ABC technique and can be equally well applied to light and electron microscopy.

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 987-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Roth

A method is described for the electron microscopic detection of lectin-binding sites in different cellular compartments and extracellular structures that uses thin sections from resin-embedded tissues. Various lectins (Ricinus communis lectin I and II, peanut lectin, Lotus tetragonolobus lectin, Ulex europeus lectin I, Lens culinaris lectin, Helix pomatia lectin, and soybean lectin) were bound to particles of colloidal gold and used for direct staining of thin sections or glycoprotein--gold complexes were prepared and applied in an indirect technique (concanavalin A and horseradish peroxidase--gold complex; wheat germ lectin and ovomucoid--gold complex). The details for preparation of such complexes from 14 nm gold particles are reported. The conditions of tissue processing that gave satisfactory staining results and good fine structure preservation were mild aldehyde fixation without osmification and low temperature embedding with the hydrophilic resin Lowicryl K4M. None of the so-called etching procedures was necessary prior to labeling of Lowicryl K4M thin sections. Examples of the use of this approach for detection of glycoconjugates in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mucin of intestinal goblet cells as well as plasma membrane and various intracellular structures of absorptive intestinal and renal tubular cells are shown. A comparison is made with preembedding staining results on Concanavalin A-binding site localization in rat liver which shows that problems of penetration common in such a technique are circumvented by the postembedding approach described here. Concanavalin A-binding sites were not only consistently found in nuclear envelope, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membranes, and collagen fibers, but also in mitochondria, glycogen, ribosomes, and nucleus. These data and those of a previous investigation (Roth J, Cytochem 31:547, 1983) prove the applicability of this cytochemical technique for postembedding localization of glycoconjugates by light and electron microscopy.


1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1167-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Roth ◽  
J M Lucocq ◽  
P M Charest

The development of a cytochemical affinity technique for the demonstration of sialic acid residues by light and electron microscopy is reported. The lectin from the slug Limax flavus, with its narrow specificity for N-acetyl- and N-glycolylneuraminic acid, was applied to tissue sections. Subsequently fetuin-gold complexes were used to visualize the tissue-bound lectin. Different cytochemical controls, including sugar inhibition tests, neuraminidase digestion, the use of fetuin-gold complexes alone, or acid hydrolysis of sections, proved the specificity of the technique. Postembedding staining was performed on frozen, paraffin, or semithin resin sections for light microscopy and on thin sections from low temperature Lowicryl K4M-embedded material for electron microscopy. The distribution of sialic acid residues in rat pancreas, liver, and colonic mucosa was investigated.


1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 909-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
G D Gagne ◽  
M F Miller

We describe an artificial substrate system for optimization of labeling parameters in electron microscope immunocytochemical studies. The system involves use of blocks of glutaraldehyde-polymerized BSA into which a desired antigen is incorporated by a simple soaking procedure. The resulting antigen-impregnated artificial substrate can then be fixed and embedded identically to a piece of tissue. The BSA substrate can also be dried and then sectioned for immunolabeling with or without chemical fixation and without exposing the antigen to dehydrating agents and embedding resins. The effects of various fixation and embedding procedures can thus be evaluated separately. Other parameters affecting immunocytochemical labeling, such as antibody and conjugate concentration, can also be evaluated. We used this system, along with immunogold labeling, to determine quantitatively the optimal fixation and embedding conditions for labeling of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), human IgG, and horseradish peroxidase. Using unfixed and unembedded HBsAg, we were able to detect antigen concentrations below 20 micrograms/ml. We have shown that it is not possible to label HBsAg within resin-embedded cells using conventional aldehyde fixation protocols and polyclonal antibodies.


2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Piludu ◽  
Sean A. Rayment ◽  
Bing Liu ◽  
Gwynneth D. Offner ◽  
Frank G. Oppenheim ◽  
...  

The human salivary mucins MG1 and MG2 are well characterized biochemically and functionally. However, there is disagreement regarding their cellular and glandular sources. The aim of this study was to define the localization and distribution of these two mucins in human salivary glands using a postembedding immunogold labeling method. Normal salivary glands obtained at surgery were fixed in 3% paraformaldehyde-0.1% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M or LR Gold resin. Thin sections were labeled with rabbit antibodies to MG1 or to an N-terminal synthetic peptide of MG2, followed by gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG. The granules of all mucous cells of the submandibular and sublingual glands were intensely reactive with anti-MG1. No reaction was detected in serous cells. With anti-MG2, the granules of both mucous and serous cells showed reactivity. The labeling was variable in both cell types, with mucous cells exhibiting a stronger reaction in some glands and serous cells in others. In serous granules, the electron-lucent regions were more reactive than the dense cores. Intercalated duct cells near the acini displayed both MG1 and MG2 reactivity in their apical granules. In addition, the basal and lateral membranes of intercalated duct cells were labeled with anti-MG2. These results confirm those of earlier studies on MG1 localization in mucous cells and suggest that MG2 is produced by both mucous and serous cells. They also indicate differences in protein expression patterns among salivary serous cells.


1984 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 358-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fakan ◽  
G Leser ◽  
T E Martin

The ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins (RNP) has been investigated by incubation of thin sections of mouse or rat liver, embedded in Lowicryl K4M or prepared by cryoultramicrotomy, with antibodies specific for RNP. The antibodies were localized by means of a protein A-colloidal gold complex. Anti-small nuclear (sn)RNP antibodies, specific for determinants of the nucleoplasmic snRNP species containing U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 RNAs, were found associated preferentially with perichromatin fibrils, interchromatin granules, and coiled bodies. This indicates an early association of snRNP with structural constituents containing newly synthesized heterogeneous nuclear RNA. It also suggests a possible structural role of some snRNPs in nuclear architecture. Antibodies against the core proteins of heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles associate preferentially with the border regions of condensed chromatin, and in particular with perichromatin fibrils and some perichromatin granules. These results are discussed in view of recent knowledge about the possible role of nucleoplasmic RNP-containing components in the functions of the cell nucleus.


1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 717-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Hagen ◽  
J S Trier

We used post-embedding immunocytochemical techniques and affinity-purified anti-actin antibody to evaluate localization of actin in epithelial cells of small intestine by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Small intestine was fixed with 2% formaldehyde-0.1% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M. One-micron or thin sections were stained with antibody followed by rhodamine- or colloidal gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG, respectively. Label was present overlying microvilli, the apical terminal web, and the cytoplasm directly adjacent to occluding and intermediate junctions. Label was associated with outer mitochondrial membranes of all cells and the supranuclear Golgi region of goblet cells. Lateral cytoplasmic interdigitations between mature cells and subplasmalemmal filaments next to intrusive cells were densely labeled. The cytoplasm adjacent to unplicated domains of lateral membrane was focally labeled. Label was prominent over organized filament bundles within the subplasmalemmal web at the base of mature cells, whereas there was focal labeling of the cytoplasm adjacent to the basal membrane of undifferentiated cells. Basolateral epithelial cell processes were labeled. Label was focally present overlying the cellular ground substance. Our results demonstrate that actin is distributed in a distinctive fashion within intestinal epithelial cells. This distribution suggests that in addition to its function as a structural protein, actin may participate in regulation of epithelial tight junction permeability, in motile processes including migration of cells from the crypt to the villus tip, in accommodation of intrusive intraepithelial cells and in adhesion of cells to one another and to their substratum.


Parasitology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Zhong ◽  
P. J. Skelly ◽  
D. Leaffer ◽  
R. G. Cohn ◽  
J. P. Caulfield ◽  
...  

SUMMARYAdult parasites of Schistosoma mansoni reside within vertebrate mesenteric veins where they consume immense quantities of host glucose after transporting the sugar through their surface syncytium or tegument. Previously we obtained cDNA clones encoding two functional facilitated diffusion glucose transporter proteins expressed by S. mansoni adult worms (Skelly et al. 1994). Antibodies specific for one transporter (SGTP1) have been generated against an extrafacial and an internal domain of the protein and used to localize the protein by light and electron microscopy. By light microscopy both antibodies stain a linear structure approximately 1–5 μm from the surface of the tegument of adult male and female schistosomes. Electron microscopic examination of frozen thin sections show binding of the antibodies to membranes in the base of the tegument and not to the membranes covering the outer surface or their invaginations. Analysis of the gold distribution suggests that the extrafacial domain is disposed toward the interstitial space beneath the tegument and the internal domain faces the syncytial plasm. The localization suggests that SGTP1 may function to transport free glucose from within the tegument and into the interstitial fluids that bathe the internal organs of these parasites.


Author(s):  
Arvid B. Maunsbach

Structural studies in experimental biology or in pathology are frequently extended from the light to the electron microscopic level. This is often done by cutting both semithin (about 1 μm) and thin sections from the same tissue block after embedding for electron microscopy. However, in many studies it would be of great value to analyse the same structure both by light and electron microscopy, i.e. to be able to study by electron microscopy an object which is first detected by light microscopy in a semithin section. To achieve this, a method has been developed by which ultrathin sections are cut directly from the semithin section containing the object of interest.Semithin sections, about 1 μ in thickness, are cut from Epon or Vestopal embedded tissue. The sections are placed on ordinary glass slides and stained with toluidine blue. The sections are studied in the light microscope without a cover glass or mounted in water.


Author(s):  
M. L. Grove ◽  
B. A. Evans ◽  
D. N. Misra ◽  
J. Zhao ◽  
D. H. Alpers ◽  
...  

Immunoelectron microscopy specimens are often embedded in hydrophilic resins, like London Resin Gold(LRG), which permit antibody staining without etching (or deplasticizing) the sections. This characteristic of hydrophilic resins also allows for immunohistochemistry at the light level on semi thin sections (0.5μm - 1μm). The ability to do immunohistochemistry at both the light and electron microscopic level on the same tissue block allows focused ultrastructural study. Immunohistochemistry on semi-thin sections displays cellular localization of macromolecules, permitting more specificity in the selection of areas for studying intracellular localization ultrastructurally. We have developed a method for immunoperoxidase staining of LRG embedded tissues, utilizing anti-human polyclonal antibodies directed against intrinsic factor (Fig. 1). Intrinsic factor (IF), a cobalamin binding protein, is known to be produced in the stomach, pancreas and salivary glands of most mammals. We are interested in distribution of IF in gastric epithelium, small intestine (ileum) and supporting tissues in both gastrointestinal tract sites. Previously, we have described the cellular localization of IF in human and rat tissues.


1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Weinman ◽  
C Ores-Carton ◽  
F Escaig ◽  
J Feinberg ◽  
S Puszkin

Affinity-purified monospecific antibodies and indirect immunogold and immunoferritin labeling on ultra-thin sections of low-temperature Lowicryl K4M-embedded samples were used to study the redistribution of calmodulin in ram spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa at the electron microscopic level. Calmodulin appeared as an integral component of well-defined structures or organelles of these cells. In young spermatids, calmodulin was localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and developing acrosome. During spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation, calmodulin left the acrosome to reach the perinuclear substance and finally became concentrated in the post-acrosomal area of the head, although some calmodulin remained associated with the tip of the acrosome. Such a redistribution is consistent with the preferential location of Ca2+ in the post-acrosomal cytoplasm of ejaculated spermatozoa. Calmodulin was also observed in the flagellum associated with the plasma membrane and with the motility apparatus, between coarse fibers and axonemal microtubules. These changes in calmodulin distribution may account for the Ca2+-dependent regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. Calmodulin therefore appears to be a pleiotropic regulator of male gamete development and functions.


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